The collaboration marks adidas Originals’ latest cultural marketing push into Asian heritage celebrations, featuring streetwear entrepreneur Edison Chen as an anime character in a multi-chapter storytelling campaign.
adidas Originals and CLOT, the Hong Kong streetwear label co-founded by Edison Chen, are releasing a Chinese New Year 2026 collection that pairs Year of the Horse symbolism with anime-driven brand storytelling, the company announced Jan. 27.
The footwear and apparel range launched globally on the CONFIRMED app, adidas.com and at select retailers. Chen established CLOT in 2003 with partners Kevin Poon and Billy Ip, building the label into a bridge between Eastern and Western streetwear through collaborations with Nike, adidas, and The North Face.
How the collection bridges cultural codes
The collaboration translates Chinese zodiac and kung fu references into contemporary streetwear through material choices and silhouette construction rather than surface-level graphics.
Footwear centers on two models: the CLOT Superstar Dress Shoe features cowhide horse-print uppers with leather shell toes and gold-tipped laces, while the CLOT Qi Flow uses nylon construction with satin collars, pearl and frog-button closures, and an espadrille-inspired outsole.
Chen’s design approach integrates traditional Chinese elements – including the frog-button closures featured on the Qi Flow and silk-inspired textures – into modern silhouettes, a signature of his East-meets-West methodology developed between his Canadian birthplace and Hong Kong upbringing.
Apparel includes a track jacket combining Mandarin collars with Western deco accents, and outerwear anchored by a quilted jacket with PrimaLoft Gold insulation and satin braided rope closures – Chen’s stated favorite from the range due to its collar stripe arrangement.
Anime as campaign backbone
The collection pairs with a multi-part anime series creative directed by Chen, positioning him as a “key master” character who unlocks opportunities. The first chapter launched with the product drop, with additional installments planned throughout 2026, featuring guest appearances.
